Fall happenings

Guess who's back! I know it's been a while, but I am finally updating this thing again. We've been quite busy this fall already...

We've had some beautiful fall days, which have allowed for a lot of outside time with Layla.

 But, even with the gorgeous weather, we've spent some time inside, watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Seriously, we've watched this movie no fewer than 87 times. Girl loves the Grinch.

 We went to the pumpkin patch and "rode" in the wooden train.

 We also found some really stellar pumpkins. 3 of them have been attacked by squirrels or something and have already rotted. So basically we're left with that big one, which Em and I plan on carving this week. That is, unless the squirrels get to it first.

 Em was pretty pleased with her haul. 

 Obligatory pumpkin patch picture with Daddy...

 ... and with Mommy.

 And of course, a family shot!

 

Just carrying my pumpkin...

 

 We went to the zoo for "Boo at the Zoo." Emily decided she wanted to be a cat. She decided this when she pointed to the picture in her book of the baby dressed as a cat, and then pointed to herself. No idea if that's what she really meant, but that's what I decided she meant. So, here she is as a cat.

 Just running around. Dancing to the live music. Dragging her tail behind.

 It was a good way to work out some energy! Also, all cats should wear pink cowboy boots.

 The zoo is always a hit with Em. She LOVES the lions and tigers. The snow leopard was even out and about when we visited. Em kept patting the railing and making a "come here" motion with her hand. In her defense, when she does that to Layla, Layla comes and sees her. Kid just wanted to pet the snow leopard.

 Don't look too closely at the tutu. It's a bit of a hot mess. I swear I wasn't drunk when I made it.  Just way too impatient.

Sure, I'm biased, but she's basically the cutest cat there ever was. I mean COME ON.

In a couple days we have a trick-or-treating thing at the outdoor town center by us. We'll go there, trick-or-treat at the stores, listen to music, and drink cider and eat doughnuts. We're all pretty pumped for that. I'm not sure we'll actually go trick-or-treating on Halloween. I see no need for Em to get all that candy when I'll just end up eating it.

A Week in NC

After traveling for 3 weeks straight, we're finally back home. Have been for about a week. Just trying to get our lives back in order. Whatever that may be.

We started off our traveling adventures in North Carolina at the beach with my family. We were a bit delayed in getting there, but we eventually made it!

The first morning we were there, we went for an early morning beach walk where Emily could put her toes in the ocean. She was a huge fan of this! She was a little unsure of the sand at first, but she quickly changed her tune on that point.

 Her Nia also taught her how to splash around in the puddles. She also thoroughly enjoyed this.

We took her back out on the beach later that first day. We could convince her to sit in the shade and have some water only momentarily. Then she would point at the ocean and demand to go back out.

Even when the waves were crashing right on top of her, she was having a blast. Occasionally she would take a wave to the face, but she handled it like a champ. No worse for the wear.

Emily also enjoyed hanging out on the front porch with the pups when we were at the house during a couple rainy days. Although she kept pointing towards the ocean, like she was saying, "You fools, there's an ocean right there! We should go play!"

We also got to go on a nice dinner cruise, that unfortunately (or fortunately!) was attacked and boarded by pirates. They were pretty nice pirates, though. They knew well enough to leave the parents with young children alone.

After a couple rainy days, we made it back to the beach. Emily was pretty pleased by this. If I bribed her with a snack, she would sit in the shade for a bit. Moments after I took this picture, she finished her snack and grabbed her dad's ham sandwich. Good for her.

Most of all, she really enjoyed hanging with her big cousin, Riley. We would watch Riley ride in on a big wave and Emily would clap and laugh!

They also would swing together in the hammock.

And wear matching Topsail Turtle shirts.

Emily is definitely my daughter. She loves the beach! Which is good, because we will drag her there every year, often twice a year. After the beach, we spent some time in Virginia, and then went up to Traverse City, Michigan. I'll update with more pictures later. I felt this was probably enough for today!

A look at our past month...

Yet again I have failed to update this blog. Shocking, I know. In my defense I've been pretty busy with dissertating (yeah that's not a word, but I'm going to continue to use it) and traveling. So, this post will yet again be photo dump of pictures over the last month or so. Enjoy.

With the warmer weather, we've been able to get outside a lot more. We occasionally spend our days drawing pictures with sidewalk chalk and blowing bubbles. (Side note: bubbles are miserable with a one-year old. She has no sense of reason, so she doesn't understand why she can't eat the bubbles and/or dump them all over herself.)

Occasionally we have picnics in the backyard. Emily loves watermelon. It's borderline insane.

We've also had a couple days in her backyard pool. Not nearly as much fun as playing in her great-grandparents big pool in Virginia with her cousin, but at least the dog can get in this one with her.

We also like to sit in the shade in the Adirondack chairs and watch the squirrels and birds.

Sometimes we try to make phone calls with calculators. It rarely works.

Other days we build blanket forts in the living room and try to persuade the dog to hang out with us.

And for those long car rides back to Virginia, we bust out the old toys she hasn't seen in months. She was super pumped to see her old pal Sophie.

While in Virginia, Emily got to hang out with Nittany. They tolerated each other pretty well, but Nittany's not a huge fan of her crawling. It scares him.

Most of all, she loves spending time with her big cousin, Riley. The pool is by far her favorite place.

But the Children's Museum ain't too shabby, either.

 We also love going to the duck pond in the neighborhood to point and yell at the ducks.

 And to walk around with Daddy.

But mostly our days are spent hanging out, maybe watching the Wiggles, and eating.

Mother's Day!

This past weekend I got to celebrate my 2nd Mother's Day with my little family. We had a wonderful day!

First, we went to brunch...

 

Emily enjoyed her eggs and bacon!

My sweet baby. 

With my girl!

It was a beautiful day, so after brunch, we went to the zoo...

We hung out with the goats. Emily was a bit unsure at first.

But eventually she got on board with petting the goats!

She loved taking her picture in the tiger! 

 Then we went home and had an ice cream picnic, which this girl LOVED!

Emily painted these footprint flowers for both grandmothers for Mother's Day (& her mom, obviously!). She made the finger print flower pot at daycare for me! :)

After our fabulous day, I'm feeling pretty lucky to be this girl's mama! 

A brief look into our last 2 weeks...

It's been a while since I have posted. I am terrible at remembering, and finding time, to update this thing. This post, as a result, will be a hogwash of random pictures and insights into the everyday life of Emily Raylynn. 

Enjoy.

 

 

First up, a picture from our trip to the zoo. This was when we were visiting the yak. Emily had been mostly quiet the whole trip, but upon seeing this yak, she had so many things to say to him.

 

This is a picture from Emily's actual 1st birthday, Thursday, April 17th. She wore this little get up to daycare. And then promptly had to be changed. Oh the joys of a young child.

Here's a shot from Easter morning. Luckily for Emily, Layla was there to help her go through her Easter basket. 

Emily has recently taken to lying down on any pillow she sees and going "night night." This causes her to demand pillows to be put on the floor for her, or, in this instance, she just uses the dog's pillow. I'm sure that's clean...

Here, Emily is cooking up something delicious in her new kitchen! For her 1st birthday, her dad and I got her a new kitchen and some wooden pots and pans. That kitchen is adorable and I love it. It did, however, take about 13 hours to put together. (And a couple of very strong drinks for mama.)

Just one of those times Emily demanded all the couch pillows be put on the floor, and the blankets, so she could do a little light reading.

I turn my head for 2 seconds and the kid has moved from the living room, to the kitchen, and is standing up, getting into who knows what. Out of control.

Lastly, my yoga baby! Loves to do downward facing dog with mommy!

Last week, Emily Raylynn was the first "research participant" in one of our new faculty's labs. She was weighed in there, and is weighing about 24 pounds. AKA, she's a hoss. We've also started brushing Emily's 2 teeth every night before bed. She does pretty well with this. I mean, it's just water for now, and because it's only 2 teeth, it takes all of 5 seconds, but nonetheless, she's doing pretty well!

That's it for now! This weekend is Mother's Day! I will try to post something with updates on our 2nd Mother's Day, including some artwork we've already done! Looking forward to a day of brunch and family time! Bonus: it's actually supposed to be warm up here!! So to all the mother's out there: 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!